The Way It Should Be

First let me warn you that this post has no pictures to accompany it so if you want to skip it, do so now. Anyway, I have just come to realize since being "laid off" from my part-time job at Pleasant Valley church of Christ Day School, how frazzled and hurried even a part-time working mom can make a family. I am so enjoying being home every day right now. Not only to spend my days with Chase as I did with the other two, but to get things done during the day so that when the rest of the family gets home in the afternoon, I am not scurrying around trying to do household things. I also found that when I am home, getting stuff done during the day, I am much more attentive to my kids. Now, let me say that my not working doesn't mean we don't struggle with finances. We struggle just like every other family does. I have learned, in the short month that I haven't received a paycheck, to not spend unnecessary money. In the past it was kind of easy for me to just take off to Target or.....ok, mostly Target, to just look for something to buy. I would tell myself that one of the kids needed shoes or something new to wear. Or that I needed some shoes or makeup or a shirt or something new for the house. Need is a term used very loosely. Of course we didn't need any of those things. I have had to discipline myself to not go anywhere during the day and if I do have to go somewhere specific, not to make any detours on the way to spend extra money.

I'm not criticizing those mothers who have chosen to work outside the home. I understand how convenient and sometimes necessary it is to supplement the family income. However, I also think, and I am probably going to step on some toes here, mommies feel that they have to work in order to keep up the lifestyle their family is currently living. And, if they really tried, the way of life could be scaled down to fit within one income. There, I said it.(Let me say here that this in no way applies to single mothers. That's a whole other challenge that I am blessed to not have!) I guess this time off of work has just shown me that mothers are needed at home when their kids are little and still needing and wanting mommy's attention. I feel that I'm not constantly living in a hurry and I have time to plan fun things. I also have more(just slightly more) patience with my kids. They still get on my nerves sometimes, like they did this morning at 7 a.m. But I am a better mommy when I'm home all day. I think God intended mommies to stay home with small children and it makes a family happier.